What it takes to be a foster parent

After a Peralta foster mother was arrested on several counts of child abuse, we are digging into what it takes to be a foster parent.

Foster mom Patricia Vanderwagon is accused of abusing the foster kids in her care. Reports say she even hosed down a child, naked in the cold when he urinated on himself on Christmas day.

Vanderwagon was arrested in February, and all five kids in her care were removed by CYFD.

The Children, Youth and Families Department - or CYFD - says they do a home study assessment and an extensive background check on anyone trying to be a foster parent. CYFD Communications Director Henry Varela says after someone passes, they get paid between $450 to $650 a month per child, depending on the child's needs.

"One of the things that we hear the most, especially for those individuals who are foster parents right now is that the stipend that I talked about, the $450 to $650, is definitely not enough to get rich on," Varela said.

Based on those numbers, Patricia Vanderwagon was making at least $2,250 a month to be a foster mom. Her foster license could be revoked if the abuse allegations are substantiated.